I have no more energy,

But I swim on.

My muscles ache, my head throbs,

But I swim on.

A thousand needles prick my weary legs and arms,

But I swim on.



The world could end here,

In the pool reeking of chlorine,

My coach urges me on from the pool deck;

Yelling, encouraging, motioning.

The sky is falling,

The world goes up in a giant mushroom cloud of fire,

But I swim on.



Another gasp of breath,

Two trembling arms of pain.

All muscles strain to push forward.

I ask myself, why do I do it?

There's no time to answer.

The coach is yelling to go faster.

I swim on.



I breathe in a lungful of water.

I yearn for a break.

Rest, energy, food!

The tantalizing dreams tempt me to stop this monotony,

But I swim on.



All memories fade.

I have always been swimming.

The sets keep coming,

The work never ends.

My heart may stop,

But I will not.

I swim on.



Each set is a challenge,

Each challenge is met.

I know now why I am here.

The encouraging reminder gives me the strength

To make that last stroke to the wall.



But no, I am not finished.

I do a flip turn.

Practice is not yet over.

The coach is still yelling.

I swim on.